The oyster mushroom is one of the more commonly sought wild mushrooms, though it can also be cultivated on straw and other media. It often has the scent of anise due to the presence of benzaldehyde (which, however, smells more like almonds).[5]

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Name

Both the Latin and common names refer to the shape of the fruiting body. The Latin pleurotus (sideways) refers to the sideways growth of the stem with respect to the cap, while the Latin ostreatus (and the English common name, oyster) refers to the shape of the cap which resembles the bivalve of the same name. Many also believe that the name is fitting due to a flavor resemblance to oysters.

The name Oyster mushroom is also applied to other Pleurotus species, so P. ostreatus is sometimes referred to as the Tree Oyster Mushroom[6] or the Grey Oyster Mushroom[7] to differentiate it from other species in the genus. MycologistPaul Stamets uses the name Tree Oyster Mushroom and also includes the following common names for the species in his book Growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms:[6]

Oyster Shelf

Tree Oyster

Straw Mushroom

Hiratake ("Flat Mushroom" in Japanese)

Tamogitake

In Chinese, they are called píng gū (平菇; literally "flat mushroom"). In Vietnam, the mushroom is known as nấm sò or nấm bào ngư.[clarification needed] It is called chippikkoon (ചിപ്പിക്കൂൺ) in Malayalam. In Iran it is called as Sadafi (oyster in Farsi language).[8]

Description

Details of the gill structure

The mushroom has a broad, fan or oyster-shaped cap spanning 5–25 cm; natural specimens range from white to gray or tan to dark-brown; the margin is inrolled when young, and is smooth and often somewhat lobed or wavy. The flesh is white, firm, and varies in thickness due to stipe arrangement. The gills of the mushroom are white to cream, and descend on the stalk if present. If so, the stipe is off-center with a lateral attachment to wood. The spore print of the mushroom is white to lilac-gray, and best viewed on dark background. The mushroom's stipe is often absent. When present, it is short and thick.

The oyster mushroom is one of the few known carnivorous mushrooms. Its mycelia can kill and digest nematodes, which is believed to be a way in which the mushroom obtains nitrogen.

The standard oyster mushroom can grow in many places, but some other related species, such as the branched oyster mushroom, grow only on trees.

While this mushroom is often seen growing on dying hardwood trees, it only appears to be acting parasitically. As the tree dies of other causes, P. ostreatus grows on the rapidly increasing mass of dead and dying wood. They actually benefit the forest by decomposing the dead wood, returning vital elements and minerals to the ecosystem in a form usable to other plants and organisms.[11] Despite this, the belief that P. ostreatus could damage New Zealand's forestry industry has led New Zealand to ban its importation.[7]

Culinary uses

The oyster mushroom is frequently used in Japanese, Korean and Chinese cookery as a delicacy: it is frequently served on its own, in soups, stuffed, or in stir-fry recipes with soy sauce. Oyster mushrooms are sometimes made into a sauce, used in Asian cooking, which is similar to oyster sauce. The mushroom's taste has been described as a mild with a slight odor similar to anise. The oyster mushroom is best when picked young; as the mushroom ages, the flesh becomes tough and the flavor becomes acrid and unpleasant.

Oyster mushrooms are widely cultivated and used in Kerala, India where a wide variety of dishes are prepared from them. Oyster mushrooms are mainly cultivated in large clear polyethylene bags with buns of hay layered in the bags, and spores sown between these layers.

Oyster mushrooms contain small amounts of arabitol, a sugar alcohol, which may cause gastrointestinal upset in some people.

Non-culinary uses

A US company, Ecovative Design, has proposed using the mycelium along with the growing substrate as a substitute for petroleum derived expanded polystyrene packing material or as an insulating material.[12] It may also be used to absorb and digest oil spills and other petroleum produces.

Oyster mushrooms and lovastatin

In vivo research has shown that consumption of oyster mushrooms lowers cholesterol levels,[13] because these mushrooms naturally contain lovastatin.[4] Studies have shown they contain up to 2.8% lovastatin on a dry weight basis.[14]